Look inside some of the gigantic vehicles of the world, from double decker Airbus to the biggest dump truck, helicopter and submarine ever built. This is no picture book for beginners. Much of the detailed text is done as labels in bite sized pieces of information. So kids can choose to read them all or skim and return to read another time. They can lift the flaps to get a close up views of what is under the "hood" so to speak. This is marked 5-9, but could be enjoyed by older kids who are interested in mechanical details that go well beyond 5 year olds.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2014.
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Using photos of people and animals, overlaid with images of bones, Body Bones manages to give young readers a lot of clear and interesting information about what holds them up. Without overwhelming them with more than they want to know, the book covers basic facts about the bones of humans from infancy to teens and then moves on to explain the differences in the skeletal structure of other living creatures from mammals to amphibians, to birds and even insects. 5-9

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2014.
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A stunning combination of collage animal images and information fill this big book with facts about the fastest, fiercest, cleverest and more creatures of the world. A fascinating book to dip into rather than one you must read from front to back. Want to know about how their eyes work? How they defend themselves? Their family life? Steve Jenkins goes well beyond the usual. He includes images and facts about creatures that push kids out of their comfort zone. For kids who like making art, Jenkins gives them a look at how he works to create the collages and a timeline for making a book. 6-10

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
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One of an excellent series of child-friendly field guides. Take this along to help identify treasures found in the woods. Clear photos are there to make it easier to name and know the trees, birds, plants and other sightings along the way. Science writer, Emily Laber-Warren, keeps the information pithy but interesting to budding naturalists. The book is available alone or in a compartmentalized box that provides a mesh bag and magnified bug container. Kids can use the sturdy box for displaying items found on your walks in the woods. Also in the series, A Walk on the Beach. 5 & up

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
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Tuck this into your beach bag for your next day at the shore. A reader friendly guide to the names of birds, shells, and other sights of the seashore. Illustrated with photos, clear labels and clear factoids about thee many things want to know about at the seashore. Also available in the series, A Walk in the Woods. 5 & up

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
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Part of a new series known as 'science with stuff', in this case, a few real honest-to-goodness (and capable of badness) shark teeth! A visually dynamic book with real life photos of all kinds of sharks. This is a book kids can dip into and read in short takes. There are sections about the sharks anatomy, their sizes, their teeth, and more than you ever imagined about these giants of the sea. 8 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
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Rock hounds are going to dig the photos in this glossy book that gives in-depth info about geology and how rocks are formed and changed. A book to browse through or use for fact-finding homework searches. Access to a free digital companion book about collecting rocks, minerals and gems is an added feature. A book for true and expert readers. 10 & up.

Age: Later School Years, Tweens.
Award Year: 2013.
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Although this is a pop-up, the reading level and fine print are definitely way beyond beginners. The paper crafting is detailed and sure to please. Entomologist, George McGavin gives budding scientists a guided tour of a wasp's nest, where bugs live, a cockroach's body, and more. 7 & up

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
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Newest in Seymour Simon's excellent collection of young science books. His clear prose and the full color photos give readers a close-up look at the colorful world that thrives just off tropical sunny shores. Simon never talks down to his readers, but helps them stretch as he opens new views of living things in the sea. Read it aloud to your 6-7 or bring it home for 8's and up to read on their own.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
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A new form of technology gives readers an innovative new way of seeing. With accompanying text for each of the eight featured creatures, this is first and foremost an eyecatching book with motion! Sure you can see a gorilla chew on film, but the gorilla inside this book seems to come alove as you lift the flaps and set the little video in motion. There is an opening that sets the scene of a safari in Kenya. Each of the animals come alive as the sections are turned. Wait till you seethe cheetah dashing, the lion racing, the rhino charging, the elephant flap its big ears and others. All ages.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years.
Award Year: 2013.
Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.